18 Cozy, Comforting Winter Dinner Recipes You'll Make on Repeat (2024)

Wondering what to make for dinner when it's cold outside and you're short on time? Enter our easy winter dinner ideas, most of which are made in the oven. An all-in-one sheet-pan meal, for example, gives you time to catch up on things while it bakes. But don't count out the stovetop: It wins for cozy soups and stews that can be made quickly with items you already have on hand, whether that's fresh fish, leftover roast chicken, homemade stock from the freezer, or store-bought broth.

Don't shy away from dipping into your freezer in winter, since green vegetables are frozen at peak freshness and can provide what seasonal produce cannot (they'll also help you get dinner on the table in a flash). And of course, there will be pasta—it's reliably satisfying and always crowd pleasing. All to say, you'll rely on this collection of comforting winter dinner ideas until spring.

Our Favorite Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

01of 18

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Za'atar, Potatoes, and Greens

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In this sheet-pan chicken dinner, flavors mingle while everything cooks together. Use a herb mix such as za'atar, or substitute with your favorite spice blend, when making this simple roast, which you can enjoy on a weeknight.

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02of 18

Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes

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Healthy and full of satisfying flavors, this dinner is practically hands-off—and you won't even need to wash a baking pan when you're done.

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03of 18

Baked Shells and Broccoli with Ham and Cheesy-Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

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Baked pasta with cheese? Yes, please. Adding cauliflower, broccoli, and ham makes this a truly comforting meal.

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04of 18

Fusilli with Bacon, Onions, and Mushrooms

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Looking for a quick dinner that transports you to the Alps? Try this hearty pasta dish. Chop bacon, onions, and mushrooms—and you're ready to go. You'll need a pot of water for pasta and one big skillet for everything else.

05of 18

Shortcut Italian Wedding Soup

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Here's a home-style dinner that comes together fast. It might seem like hot Italian sausage is the central ingredient, but we think the real star is the pasta. You can use tiny, round pastina—but other small shapes, such as orzo or even Israeli couscous, work just as well.

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06of 18

Bucatini with Cauliflower, Capers, and Lemon

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This vegetarian pasta is a weeknight winner. It combines traditional Sicilian flavors with an innovative one-pot cooking method similar to the one we use for our famous one-pot pasta (the pasta cooks in what becomes the sauce). Then, the cauliflowers broils on top of the pasta.

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07of 18

Cannellini-Bean and Greens Stew

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Rustic bread toasted in olive oil and sage sets up the Tuscan flavors of this hearty vegan bean stew. Grated Parmesan on top is optional.

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08of 18

Pork Paprikash

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A quick turn at the stove is all that's needed to replicate the flavors of a long-simmered paprikash when you use pork tenderloin and an irresistible creamy sauce. Serve over egg noodles for a satisfying winter dinner.

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09of 18

30-Minute Spaghetti and Meatballs

Everyone loves spaghetti and meatballs, but the dish takes time to make. Try this genius take on a weeknight—instead of making meatballs from scratch, you crumble sausages and quickly reshape them into the meatballs.

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10of 18

Seared Halibut Tacos with Grapefruit-Avocado Salsa

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No halibut? No problem! Just about any fresh fish will make great tacos. Use what you like and relish in the fact that there's no deep-frying. These tacos are light and zesty, with crunchy cabbage and the refreshing flavors of sunny places thanks to the salsa.

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11of 18

Bangers and Mash

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Sometimes traditional and hearty is the only thing that will do for dinner. If you can't find British bangers, carry on! Your favorite sausages will be absolutely smashing with this onion pan sauce.

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12of 18

Picadillo-Style Chili

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Beef picadillo, a comfort food in Cuba and Latin America, will fill you up when served over rice. It is simple to cook, savory, and spiced with a touch of sweetness—and it takes only 30 minutes.

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13of 18

Beef and Cabbage Tacos

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This simple pan fry of beef makes a satisfying filling for tacos. Add shredded red cabbage, lots of juicy lime, and avocados for a dish to brighten the winter table.

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14of 18

Quick Chicken Curry With Spinach and Peas

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A well-stocked cabinet of warming spices will be put to good use in winter, especially in this quick coconut-milk curry that relies on ground coriander and turmeric. (It also pays to have a jar of mango chutney on hand for serving with curries and stews.)

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15of 18

Smoky Salmon-and-Potato Stew

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Smart use of canned and bottled ingredients has always been the key to winter cooking—as this robust seafood stew proves. Diced tomatoes and clam juice are the key ingredients to a flavorful broth.

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16of 18

Curried Shrimp and Noodle Soup

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Make this dinner as rich and spicy as you like. It's another recipe that takes advantage of pantry items and frozen shrimp, something we always keep on hand for quick meals.

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17of 18

Turmeric-Ginger Chicken Soup

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What could be more comforting on a cold night than chicken noodle soup? This invigorating, gingery dish is golden with turmeric and super quick to put together, since it starts with a rotisserie chicken.

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18of 18

Broiled Yogurt-Marinated Chicken and Chickpeas

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Here's a protein-packed winter dinner that's bright and lively, not heavy. For our sheet-pan meal, skinless, boneless chicken thighs are marinated in a yogurt-lime mixture, then broiled with spiced chickpeas and served with colorful vegetables and fresh cilantro.

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18 Cozy, Comforting Winter Dinner Recipes You'll Make on Repeat (2024)

FAQs

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

So we rounded up our favorite easy weeknight dinner recipes you can make in just 15 minutes — from comforting pastas to hearty rice bowls.
  1. Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles. ...
  2. Bacon Avocado Caesar Salad. ...
  3. Cacio e Pepe. ...
  4. 5-Ingredient Zucchini Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce. ...
  5. Italian Chopped Salad. ...
  6. Easiest Garlic Bread Pizza.
Nov 8, 2023

What to cook for special guest? ›

  • 18 / 48. Curry Shrimp Linguine. Curry, cilantro and coconut milk make this dish an exciting change of pace. ...
  • 19 / 48. Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon. I have a huge herb garden and love using herbs in almost everything I cook. ...
  • 20 / 48. Thai Red Chicken Curry.
Feb 15, 2024

What is a healthy meal when you have no time? ›

Choose veggie-based entrees or those with baked, broiled or grilled fish or skinless chicken. Look for meals that aren't greasy or oily. For example, instead of ordering cheese-covered chicken enchiladas, get the grilled chicken or fish tacos. Choose food items without creamy sauces or gravies.

What can you cook in 8 minutes? ›

8-minute recipes (91)
  • 8 minute Spanish rice. ...
  • 8 minute spicy Ramen. ...
  • 8 Minute Fudge. ...
  • 3 Minute Bread Pudding (for breakfast and snacktime) ...
  • Easy Egg Sandwiches in 5 Minutes! ...
  • California Farm Panfried Halibut with Asparagus. ...
  • SHRIMP FETTUCCINE ALFREDO 😋❤️😘💋💋💋 ...
  • Glossy!

What can I cook in 5 minutes? ›

25 healthy recipes you can cook in 5 minutes or less
  • Pea and broad bean couscous.
  • Fast home-made baked beans.
  • Porridge.
  • Pasta with cherry tomatoes and rocket.
  • Home-made hummus.
  • Smashed avocado and wilted spinach.
  • Cucumber (or potato) raitha.
  • Quick pitta pizzas.

What is the most popular winter food? ›

Winter warmer recipes
  • Sausage & mash pie. ...
  • Leek & potato soup. ...
  • Winter panzanella. ...
  • Squidgy chocolate pear pudding. ...
  • App onlyOne-pot spiced roast chicken. ...
  • App onlyCheesy potato patchwork pie. ...
  • Porchetta ragu. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Classic rice pudding. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

What food is most eaten in winter? ›

Winter Seasonal Food List
  • mushrooms, “wild”
  • nuts (chestnuts, walnuts, pecans)
  • potatoes.
  • root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, yams, turnips, etc.)
  • squashes, winter (acorn, pumpkin, butternut, etc. ...
  • sunchoke (jerusalem artichoke)
  • canned, dried and frozen vegetables you bought in the summer and fall for winter meals.
Jan 13, 2015

What to cook for 20 guests? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What to cook for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

WHAT TO EAT FOR DINNER WHEN YOU LACK INSPIRATION OR DON'T FEEL LIKE EATING
  • Homemade queso + chips.
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Eggs on or with toast.
  • Omelet – very accommodating to whatever you might have in the fridge!
  • Grilled cheese and soup. ...
  • Cereal. ...
  • One skillet meals like rice, chicken and veggies.
  • Pesto pasta.
May 27, 2020

What sounds good to make for dinner? ›

40 Easy Dinner Ideas to Make Tonight
  • Chicken Pot Pie Pasta. ...
  • 30 Minute General Tso's Chicken. ...
  • Instant Pot Spaghetti. ...
  • Honey Sesame Chicken. ...
  • Chicken Chow Mein. ...
  • Chicken Katsu. ...
  • Air Fryer Chimichangas. ...
  • Baked Firecracker Chicken.
Sep 19, 2022

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